Demystifying the Numbers: What do 7-in-1, 9-in-1, 11-in-1, etc. mean in the Instant Pot?

Stepping into Instant Pot cooking can sometimes feel like cracking a secret code, with model names like 7-in-1 or 9-in-1 populating the shelves. These numbers reveal the magic behind each appliance – they’re not just pressure cookers but multi-cookers with various functions packed into one device.

Our article peels back the layers of those mysterious numbers, guiding you through what each function means and how it transforms your kitchen routine. Dive in to make sense of your Instant Pot and unleash its full potential at mealtime!

Key Takeaways

• The numbers on Instant Pots tell you how many things it can do. A 7-in-1 can perform seven different cooking jobs, while a 9-in-1 can do nine.
• Every Instant Pot has basic settings like “pressure cook” and “sauté.” More advanced pots have special buttons for cakes or eggs.
• Using the right water-to-rice ratio is essential when using an Instant Pot. It’s usually one part water to one part white rice.
• The Delay Start setting lets you tell your Instant Pot when to start cooking so your food is ready when you want it.
• Some models have a sterilized setting for cleaning things well, like baby bottles or jars for keeping food in.

Understanding the Different Models of Instant Pot

Instant Pot offers a variety of models, each with its unique features and functions. From the basic Duo Classic to the smart Ultra and Duo Plus models, it’s important to understand the options available before purchasing.

Duo Classic, Nova, and other basic models

The Duo Classic and Nova are great starter options for those new to electric pressure cookers. They have seven built-in functions: making soup, cooking meat, and even yogurt.

These models are simple to use, with clear labels on each button. You can make a variety of dishes without any fuss.

Nova adds more features, such as an easy-seal lid and a steam release button that keeps your hands away from the steam. Both these Instant Pot models shine in the kitchen for their ease of use and basic yet versatile cooking programs.

With either one, you can switch from slow cooking to sautéing or pressure cooking without needing several appliances.

Ultra, Duo Plus, and other smart models

The Ultra, Duo Plus, and other smart models of the Instant Pot boast advanced features and enhanced cooking capabilities. These models typically offer more functions than the basic versions, providing users with a broader range of cooking options.

In addition to common functions like pressure cooking and slow cooking, these smart models may include innovative features such as cake making, egg cooking, sterilizing, and custom programming.

With their multifunctional design and programmable settings, these intelligent Instant Pot models cater to versatile culinary needs while maintaining user-friendly operation.

Moreover, the Ultra, Duo Plus, and other smart models embrace modern technology that elevates the cooking experience for users. They incorporate precision engineering and additional functionalities that reflect the brand’s commitment to innovation in kitchen appliances.

Duo Crisp and Pro models

The Duo Crisp and Pro models are advanced versions of the popular Instant Pot, offering even more cooking functions for versatile meal preparation. These models incorporate features such as air frying, broiling, baking, and roasting in addition to the traditional pressure cooking capabilities.

With these added functions, the Duo Crisp and Pro models cater to a broader range of cooking preferences, allowing users to explore new culinary possibilities easily.

Understanding the additional functionalities of these models can empower users to make informed decisions based on their specific cooking needs. The Duo Crisp and Pro models provide convenience without sacrificing variety in homemade meals or snacks by incorporating air frying and other techniques into a single appliance.

Common Instant Pot Functions & Settings Explained

Learn about the Instant Pot’s different cooking settings and functions, from pressure cooking to sautéing, and how to use them effectively for various recipes. Explore the versatility of this multifunction cooker and make the most out of its capabilities.

Manual setting (pressure cook button)

The manual setting or pressure cook button on an Instant Pot allows you to set a specific cooking time and pressure level for your recipes. It gives you full control over the cooking process, enabling you to customize the settings based on your preferences and the requirements of the dish you’re preparing.

With this function, you can manually adjust the pressure level and cooking time to achieve the desired results for different ingredients and recipes, expanding the versatility of your Instant Pot.

This feature is especially useful for recipes that require precise cooking conditions, such as certain grains, tough cuts of meat, or delicate seafood. By utilizing the manual setting or pressure cook button effectively, you can master a wide range of dishes confidently while taking advantage of the programmable precision that sets the Instant Pot apart as a multifunctional kitchen appliance.

Soup setting (soup/broth button)

The ‘soup setting‘ or ‘soup/broth button’ on the Instant Pot is a handy function for easily preparing delicious soups and broths. This setting allows you to achieve flavorful, hearty soups in less time compared to traditional stovetop methods.

By utilizing the pressure cooking feature, this setting ensures that ingredients are tenderized thoroughly while preserving their natural flavors, making it perfect for creating comforting homemade soups and broths.

Moreover, the soup/broth button simplifies cooking by automatically adjusting the temperature and pressure settings for optimal soup preparation. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy a rich and savory bowl of soup using this convenient function of your Instant Pot.

Whether you’re craving a classic chicken noodle soup or a hearty vegetable broth, the soup setting delivers delicious results every time.

Meat/stew setting

The meat/stew setting on an Instant Pot is designed to cook tougher cuts of meat or hearty stew recipes quickly and evenly. This function uses high pressure to tenderize the meat and infuse flavors, resulting in succulent dishes in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional cooking methods.

With this setting, users can enjoy tender braised meats, flavorful stews, and rich sauces without spending hours in the kitchen.

This popular cooking program simplifies preparing delicious meat-based meals and comforting stews, making it a valuable feature for those seeking convenient yet flavorsome meal options.

Bean/chili setting

The bean/chili setting on the Instant Pot is specially designed for cooking dried beans like black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and more. This setting also works well for preparing delicious chili recipes.

It combines pressure cooking and precise temperature control to ensure the beans are perfectly cooked, achieving that tender texture while preserving their natural flavors and nutrients.

This versatile function helps simplify the process of cooking beans from scratch without the need for soaking them beforehand. This setting allows chili lovers to effortlessly create flavorful and hearty chili dishes with minimal effort, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings.

Poultry setting

Moving from the versatility of the bean/chili setting, let’s explore the poultry setting in an Instant Pot. The poultry setting is designed to perfectly cook various types of poultry, such as chicken or turkey.

With this setting, you can achieve moist and tender meat in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional cooking methods.

The poultry setting on an Instant Pot utilizes a combination of pressure cooking and precise temperature control to ensure that your poultry is thoroughly cooked while preserving its juiciness.

Rice setting

The “Rice setting” on an Instant Pot is designed to make cooking rice easier and more convenient. It provides a specific function for cooking different types of rice, such as white, brown, jasmine, or basmati.

This setting automatically adjusts the time and pressure needed to achieve perfect rice consistency, taking the guesswork out of cooking rice on the stove. With this feature, users can add the desired amount of water and rice to the Instant Pot, select the Rice setting, and let the appliance handle the rest.

Whether it’s a side dish or a main course ingredient, the Rice setting ensures consistently fluffy and well-cooked rice every time.

By incorporating a dedicated Rice setting into its multifunctional capabilities, Instant Pot simplifies one of the most common kitchen tasks while maintaining high-quality results.

Multigrain setting

The Multigrain setting in the Instant Pot is designed specifically for cooking a variety of grains such as quinoa, rice blends, and other mixed grains. This setting uses a lower pressure to cook these grains thoroughly while retaining their texture and nutrients.

With this function, users can easily prepare different types of wholesome grain dishes without worrying about overcooking or undercooking them. The Multigrain setting simplifies cooking various grains, making it convenient and efficient for everyday meals.

For individuals seeking to incorporate diverse grains into their diet, the Multigrain setting on certain Instant Pot models offers a simple solution for cooking an array of grains like brown rice, wild rice, barley, and more.

Porridge setting

The Porridge setting on the Instant Pot is designed to make cooking oatmeal and other hot cereals quick and convenient. It allows for precise temperature control and pressure cooking, ensuring that your porridge turns creamy and perfectly cooked every time.

This function is especially useful for busy mornings when you want a hearty and healthy breakfast without standing over the stove constantly stirring.

With the 7-in-1, 9-in-1, or 11-in-1 models of the Instant Pot, you can easily prepare delicious porridge by adding your ingredients, selecting the Porridge setting, and letting the appliance do the work.

Steam setting

The steam setting in an Instant Pot allows you to cook food using the power of steam. This setting is great for vegetables, seafood, and desserts like puddings. It’s a healthy way to prepare food as it retains nutrients and natural flavors without adding extra oil or fat.

The steam setting is versatile and can be used for various cooking tasks, including reheating leftovers or keeping dishes warm before serving. With this function, you can easily explore new recipes and cooking methods while ensuring your meals turn out delicious and nutritious.

Slow cook setting

The slow cook setting is a feature on many Instant Pot models that allows users to prepare tender and flavorful meals over a longer period. It is especially useful for stews, roasts, and soups that benefit from slow, gentle cooking.

This setting offers the convenience of hands-free cooking while infusing rich flavors into the food. With this function, the Instant Pot can also be used as a traditional slow cooker, making it a versatile kitchen appliance for various culinary creations.

Moreover, the slow cook setting gives users greater control over the cooking process with adjustable temperature settings and customizable cooking times. This feature makes achieving perfectly cooked meats and vegetables easy without constant monitoring or adjusting.

Sauté setting

The sauté setting on an Instant Pot allows you to brown or cook ingredients directly in the pot before using other cooking functions. This versatile function can be used to sear meat, sauté vegetables, and enhance the flavor of your dishes.

It’s a convenient feature that eliminates the need for multiple pots and pans, streamlining the cooking process and minimizing cleanup. With a button push, you can easily transition from sautéing to pressure cooking or other modes, making it an essential tool for efficient meal preparation.

Using the sauté setting, you can caramelize onions, sear meats for stews or braises, and develop rich flavors before proceeding with other cooking programs. Its ability to heat up quickly and evenly makes it ideal for creating depth of flavor in various recipes without transferring ingredients between different cookware.

Additional Functions and Features

Discover the additional functions and features that make the Instant Pot a versatile cooking appliance. From yogurt and cake settings to sterilizing and keeping warm options, there’s more to explore beyond pressure cooking.

Yogurt setting

The “Yogurt” setting on an Instant Pot allows you to ferment milk easily and precisely to make yogurt. This function maintains a consistent temperature for the required time, ensuring the yogurt cultures can thrive and create creamy, delicious yogurt in your kitchen.

For example, the 7-in-1 model may offer a basic “Yogurt” setting, while the 9-in-1 or higher models could provide additional customized settings for making different types of yogurt or varying fermentation times.

With this feature, you can enjoy fresh homemade yogurt without additives or preservatives in just a few simple steps.

Cake setting

The “Cake setting” on certain Instant Pot models allows for easy and efficient baking of cakes. It provides a specific cooking program designed for making moist and tender cakes in a shorter time compared to traditional oven baking.

With the Cake setting, users can enjoy freshly baked desserts without heating up the kitchen or waiting for the oven to preheat.

This function is available in select Instant Pot models with higher numbers of functions, such as the 9-in-1 or 11-in-1 versions. The Cake setting expands the versatility of these models by offering a convenient option for creating delicious homemade cakes with minimal effort.

Egg setting

The Egg setting on the Instant Pot is designed specifically for cooking eggs. It provides a convenient and efficient way of preparing hard-boiled, soft-boiled, or poached eggs consistently.

This function takes the guesswork out of egg preparation by controlling the temperature and pressure inside the pot, ensuring that eggs are always cooked to perfection. With this feature, users can easily achieve their desired egg consistency without monitoring the cooking process closely.

This function expands the versatility of the Instant Pot, offering a hassle-free way to cook eggs for breakfast, snacks, or meal prep. The Egg setting is just one example of how Instant Pot models with higher numbers in their names provide additional cooking programs to meet various culinary needs and preferences.

Sterilize setting

The Sterilize setting is helpful in certain Instant Pot models, like the 9-in-1 and 11-in-1, that allows you to sterilize baby bottles, utensils, and even canning jars. It operates at high temperatures and pressure for a specific duration to ensure thorough sterilization.

This feature adds extra convenience for busy parents or anyone looking to maintain a hygienic kitchen environment.

Moving on to the next valuable function – Keep warm setting.

Keep warm setting

The Keep Warm setting on the Instant Pot helps maintain the cooked food’s temperature without overcooking it. This feature is convenient for keeping meals warm until ready to serve, ensuring they remain at a safe temperature without losing flavor or texture.

The Keep Warm function can be activated manually after the cooking cycle ends, and it is particularly useful for busy individuals or families who may not be able to immediately serve their meals upon completing the cooking process.

Moreover, the Keep Warm setting also contributes to the versatility of Instant Pot models by offering an additional function that enhances the cooking experience. It allows users to prepare meals in advance and keep them warm until everyone is ready to eat, making it a valuable addition to this multifunctional electric cooker.

Delay start setting

Moving from the “Keep warm setting” to the “Delay start setting,” Instant Pot’s delay start feature allows you to set a specific time for your cooking cycle to begin. This is particularly useful when you want your meal ready later, such as coming home to a freshly cooked dinner after work.

With this function, you can prep your ingredients in advance, load the pot, program the settings, and then have the appliance start cooking at your chosen time. The delay start setting adds convenience and flexibility to meal preparation, making it easier to incorporate pressure cooking into busy schedules.

The delay starts setting on certain models of Instant Pot and lets users schedule their cooking cycle up to 24 hours in advance. Combining this capability with other functions like slow cooking or rice cooking allows users to enjoy greater control over meal planning and preparation while taking advantage of the appliance’s versatility.

Cancel/stand-by setting button.

The Instant Pot’s Cancel/Standby Setting button is a useful feature that allows you to stop or pause the cooking process anytime. This button halts the cooking cycle and puts the Instant Pot into standby mode when pressed.

This can be handy when you need to adjust seasoning, texture, or ingredients during cooking, providing flexibility and control over the entire cooking process.

Understanding how to use the Cancel/standby setting button can enhance your cooking experience with the Instant Pot, giving you more freedom and confidence when preparing various dishes.

Tips for Using the Instant Pot Buttons Effectively

Maximize the potential of your Instant Pot by understanding water to-rice and oats ratios, using the sauté function after cooking, making homemade yogurt, creating Instant Pot yogurt cups, exploring recommended accessories for the Instant Pot, and considering alternatives to the Instant Pot.

Understanding water to rice and oats ratios

Use the correct water-to-grain ratio to get perfect rice and oats in your Instant Pot. For white rice, it’s 1:1, equal parts water and rice. Brown rice needs a bit more – 1 ¼ cups of water for every cup of rice.

When cooking oats, set the ratio at 1:2 – one part oats to two parts water. Having the right ratios ensures fluffy rice and creamy oats each time you cook.

When preparing multigrain dishes like quinoa or barley in your Instant Pot, follow specific recipes or use a 1:1.25 grain-to-water ratio as a general guide. It’ll give you perfectly cooked grains without any fuss!

Using sauté function after cooking

After cooking in the Instant Pot, you can use the sauté function to add finishing touches or make adjustments, like thickening sauces or browning meats. The sauté function allows you to control the heat level and keep the food warm while you make final preparations before serving.

This feature adds flexibility and convenience to your cooking process, allowing you to refine flavors and textures in the same pot.

Next, “Making homemade yogurt.”

Making homemade yogurt

After using the sauté function to cook a delicious meal, you can also make homemade yogurt with your Instant Pot. The yogurt setting on certain models of the Instant Pot allows you to ferment milk into creamy, tangy yogurt easily.

Heat the milk in the Instant Pot, cool it down, add a small amount of live yogurt culture or starter, and then let it ferment using the specific yogurt setting. This process provides a convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy fresh homemade yogurt with no preservatives or additives.

Making yogurt at home using your Instant Pot is simple and gives you control over the ingredients and fermentation time according to your taste preferences.

How to make Instant Pot yogurt cups

To make Instant Pot yogurt cups, Use the “Yogurt” setting on your Instant Pot. Pour milk into the Instant Pot and heat it to 180°F, then cool it to 110°F. Add a small amount of plain yogurt with live active cultures. Stir well. Place the lids on the jars and set them in the Instant Pot. Choose the “Yogurt” setting for 8 hours to allow the yogurt to ferment. Once done, refrigerate the yogurt cups for at least 4 hours before enjoying.

Recommended accessories for the Instant Pot

To complement your Instant Pot experience, several accessories can enhance your cooking versatility and convenience. Here are some essential accessories to consider:

1. Steamer Basket: Perfect for steaming vegetables, seafood, or tamales while keeping them out of the liquid.
2. Tempered Glass Lid: Ideal for using your Instant Pot as a slow cooker or for sautéing, allowing visibility without losing heat.
3. Extra Sealing Rings: Having additional rings ensures no transfer of flavors between sweet and savory dishes.
4. Silicone Egg Bites Mold: Great for making mini frittatas, egg bites, or muffins in your Instant Pot.
5. Stainless Steel Inner Cooking Pot: A spare inner pot allows seamless cooking transitions and easy cleanup.
6. Silicone Mini Mitts: Protect your hands when removing hot inserts from the Instant Pot with these small but effective mitts.
7. Stackable Steamer Insert Pans: Maximize space by cooking different foods simultaneously in separate compartments.
8. Springform Pan: For effortlessly making cheesecakes, lasagnas, and other delicate creations in the Instant Pot.
9. Yogurt Jars: If you enjoy making yogurt in your Instant Pot, extra jars are handy for storing and serving.

Alternatives to the Instant Pot

If you’re considering options beyond the Instant Pot, several alternatives in the market offer similar functionalities. One popular alternative is the Crock-Pot Express Crock Multi-Cooker, which boasts various cooking modes and a capacity comparable to the Instant Pot.

Another noteworthy option is the Ninja Foodi, known for its combination of pressure cooking and air frying capabilities, providing versatility for different cooking techniques. Additionally, the Mueller UltraPot offers a budget-friendly alternative with multiple preset programs and a focus on user-friendly operation.

These alternatives cater to diverse cooking needs and are worth exploring if you seek a multifunctional cooker like the Instant Pot.

Conclusion

The numbers 7-in-1, 9-in-1, and 11-in-1 on Instant Pot models represent their variety of cooking functions. Understanding these numbers helps choose a model that best suits specific cooking needs.

The higher the number, the more diverse the capabilities the Instant Pot offers. There’s an Instant Pot for every kitchen requirement, whether it’s pressure cooking, slow cooking, or making yogurt and cake.

So, next time you see these numbers on an Instant Pot model, you’ll know exactly what they mean!

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